Annual Review 2015 - 7

Foreword EXTRAORDINARY TIMES We are living in extraordinary times. Times of unprecedented risk but also unparalleled opportunity for the future of our planet and our society. © WWF A time when the world's wildlife has been halved in less than a generation; oceans, rivers and forests are struggling to cope with our growing pressure upon them; and when we are still on a path toward catastrophic climate change impacts. But this is also a time when the science is clearer than ever before. Awareness is at an all-time high, commitments are more ambitious. Marco Lambertini Director General WWF International PLAY VIDEO "There has never been a more exciting or challenging time for WWF, or indeed for the entire environmental movement." 2015 was a record year for investment in renewables and divestment from fossil fuels; a terrible year for the number of elephants and rhinos killed in Africa by poachers, but also a year when a historic UN resolution recognized wildlife crime and its impact on governance, security and sustainable development. And while the percentage of the ocean that is protected remains shamefully low, governments announced new marine protected areas covering millions of hectares. And then we have the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that bring together the economic, social and environmental agendas like never before; the landmark Paris Agreement on climate where almost 200 governments, including all major emitters, committed to contain global warming; and a growing number of corporations committing to address climate change, assuming responsibility for using natural resources sustainably and greening their supply chains. Hundreds of millions of people are using social media and are taking to the streets, making their voices heard about the future they want. The world has never been more conscious of the problems and solutions, or more committed to addressing them. We have already entered a great transition toward an ecologically sustainable and more equitable future for all. The scale and pace of this transition will define success or failure. WWF can't miss this opportunity to capitalize on the momentum.  WWF-INT Annual Review 2015 page 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Annual Review 2015